Save the Children UK has an exciting opportunity for a strategic and politically minded individual with extensive policy development experience to join us as our Senior Policy & Research Manager where you will work within the Wales team to develop policy proposals that drive political change.

Please note: this role is based in based Wales and will require a level of knowledge of this area

About Us

Save the Children UK believes every child deserves a future. In the UK and around the world, we work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm.  When crisis strikes, and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave.  We ensure children's unique needs are met and their voices are heard. We deliver lasting results for millions of children, including those hardest to reach.

About the role

As Senior Policy & Research Manager, You will lead the development of evidence-based, politically informed policy strategies in Wales, drawing on research, data and the lived experience of children and families. This includes managing research projects, collaborating across teams, and producing powerful briefings and advocacy tools that influence decision-makers.

This role requires someone with a deep understanding of the Welsh policy landscape, a strategic and analytical mindset, and a values-driven approach to centring children's experiences — especially those most marginalised by systems and structures.

In this role, you will: 

• Lead on strategic policy development: Develop evidence-based, politically astute policy solutions to tackle child poverty in Wales, with a focus on social justice and equity.
• Lead research projects: Design, commission and manage research that informs policy, includes lived experience, and reflects children's rights.
• Use political acumen: Monitor the Welsh political landscape and work with public affairs colleagues to identify influencing opportunities, ensuring our research and policy work is well-timed and impactful.
• Integrate evidence into change strategies: Work closely with advocacy, media, campaigns and partnerships teams to ensure research and policy shape Save the Children's wider influencing.
• Communicate with impact: Produce compelling reports, policy briefings, consultation responses and advocacy materials that resonate with policymakers and stakeholders.
• Collaborate effectively: Build strong internal and external relationships with researchers, decision-makers, and partners across sectors
• Uphold a child rights approach: Ensure all work centres the voices, experiences and rights of children and families — especially those who are most marginalised.
• Champion diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI): Embed inclusive practices in all aspects of research, policy, and collaboration.

About you

To be successful, it is important that you have:

• Proven ability to develop strategic, evidence-based policy in complex areas like poverty or social justice.
• Deep understanding of the Welsh policy landscape and how to identify and act on influencing opportunities.
• Strong analytical thinking skills and the ability to work with diverse evidence sources.
• A highly collaborative working style, with the ability to lead or contribute to cross-functional initiatives.
• Excellent project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and workstreams.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to distil complex information into accessible materials.

• Commitment to Save the Children's vision, mission and values.

Welsh language skills are desirable, and we're committed to supporting your learning as part of our accredited Welsh Language Offer.

What we offer you:

Working for a charity provides one of the best benefits there is – a sense of purpose and reward for helping others. However, we understand the importance of giving back to our employees to ensure a happy and healthy working environment and work/life balance.

• We focus on flexibility, inclusion, collaboration, health and wellbeing both in and outside of work.
• We provide a wide range of benefits which will reward your hard work, motivate you, and inspire you to work to improve the lives of children every day. You can read more about our benefits here.

To learn more about the position, please review the Job Description in the attached Documents.

Closing date: Tuesday 1st July at midnight

Mae gan Achub y Plant y DU gyfle cyffrous i unigolyn strategol a gwleidyddol sydd â phrofiad helaeth o ddatblygu polisi i ymuno â ni fel ein Uwch Reolwr Polisi ac Ymchwil lle byddwch yn gweithio o fewn tîm Cymru i ddatblygu cynigion polisi sy'n ysgogi newid gwleidyddol.

Sylwch: mae'r rôl hon wedi'i lleoli yng Nghymru a bydd angen lefel o wybodaeth o'r wlad hon

Amdanom Ni

Mae Achub y Plant y DU yn credu bod pob plentyn yn haeddu dyfodol. Yn y DU ac o gwmpas y byd, rydym yn gweithio bob dydd i roi dechrau iach mewn bywyd i blant, y cyfle i ddysgu a chael eu hamddiffyn rhag niwed. Pan fydd argyfwng yn taro, a phlant yn fwyaf agored i niwed, rydym bob amser ymhlith y cyntaf i ymateb a'r olaf i adael. Rydym yn sicrhau bod anghenion unigryw plant yn cael eu diwallu a bod eu lleisiau'n cael eu clywed. Rydym yn sicrhau canlyniadau parhaol i filiynau o blant, gan gynnwys y rhai anoddaf eu cyrraedd.

Am y rôl

Fel Uwch Reolwr Polisi ac Ymchwil, Byddwch yn arwain y gwaith o ddatblygu strategaethau polisi sy'n seiliedig ar dystiolaeth a gwleidyddiaeth yng Nghymru, gan ddefnyddio ymchwil, data a phrofiad bywyd plant a theuluoedd. Mae hyn yn cynnwys rheoli prosiectau ymchwil, cydweithio ar draws timau, a chynhyrchu briffiau pwerus ac offer eiriolaeth sy'n dylanwadu ar y rhai sy'n gwneud penderfyniadau.

Mae'r rôl hon yn gofyn am rywun sydd â dealltwriaeth ddofn o dirwedd polisi Cymru, meddylfryd strategol a dadansoddol, ac ymagwedd sy'n cael ei gyrru gan werthoedd i ganoli profiadau plant — yn enwedig y rhai sydd wedi'u hymyleiddio fwyaf gan systemau a strwythurau.

Yn y rôl hon, byddwch yn:

• Arwain ar ddatblygu polisi strategol: Datblygu atebion polisi gwleidyddol graff sy'n seiliedig ar dystiolaeth i fynd i'r afael â thlodi plant yng Nghymru, gan ganolbwyntio ar gyfiawnder cymdeithasol a thegwch.
• Arwain prosiectau ymchwil: Dylunio, comisiynu a rheoli ymchwil sy'n llywio polisi, yn cynnwys profiadau bywyd, ac yn adlewyrchu hawliau plant.
• Defnyddio craffter gwleidyddol: Monitro tirwedd wleidyddol Cymru a gweithio gyda chydweithwyr materion cyhoeddus i nodi cyfleoedd dylanwadu, gan sicrhau bod ein gwaith ymchwil a pholisi wedi'i amseru'n dda ac yn effeithiol.
• Integreiddio tystiolaeth i strategaethau newid: Gweithio'n agos gyda thimau eiriolaeth, y cyfryngau, ymgyrchoedd a phartneriaethau i sicrhau bod ymchwil a pholisi yn llywio dylanwad ehangach Achub y Plant.
• Cyfathrebu gydag effaith: Cynhyrchu adroddiadau cymhellol, briffiau polisi, ymatebion i'r ymgynghoriad a deunyddiau eiriolaeth sy'n atseinio gyda llunwyr polisi a rhanddeiliaid.
• Cydweithio'n effeithiol: Meithrin perthnasoedd mewnol ac allanol cryf ag ymchwilwyr, penderfynwyr a phartneriaid ar draws sectorau
• Cynnal dull gweithredu hawliau plant: Sicrhau bod lleisiau, profiadau a hawliau plant a theuluoedd yn ganolog i'r holl waith - yn enwedig y rhai sydd fwyaf ymylol.
• Hyrwyddo amrywiaeth, tegwch a chynhwysiant (DEI): Ymgorffori arferion cynhwysol ym mhob agwedd ar ymchwil, polisi, a chydweithio.

Amdanoch chi

I fod yn llwyddiannus, mae'n bwysig bod gennych chi:

• Gallu profedig i ddatblygu polisi strategol sy'n seiliedig ar dystiolaeth mewn meysydd cymhleth fel tlodi neu gyfiawnder cymdeithasol.
• Dealltwriaeth ddofn o dirwedd polisi Cymru a sut i nodi a gweithredu ar gyfleoedd dylanwadu.
• Sgiliau meddwl dadansoddol cryf a'r gallu i weithio gyda ffynonellau tystiolaeth amrywiol.
• Arddull gweithio gydweithredol, gyda'r gallu i arwain neu gyfrannu at fentrau traws-swyddogaethol.
• Sgiliau rheoli prosiect rhagorol a'r gallu i reoli nifer o flaenoriaethau a ffrydiau gwaith.
• Sgiliau cyfathrebu ysgrifenedig a llafar eithriadol, gan gynnwys y gallu i grynhoi gwybodaeth gymhleth i ddeunyddiau hygyrch.
• Ymrwymiad i weledigaeth, cenhadaeth a gwerthoedd Achub y Plant.

Mae sgiliau Cymraeg yn ddymunol, ac rydym wedi ymrwymo i gefnogi eich dysgu fel rhan o'n Cynnig Cymraeg achrededig.

Ein cynnig i chi:

Mae gweithio i elusen yn darparu un o'r buddion gorau sydd yna - ymdeimlad o bwrpas a gwobr am helpu eraill. Fodd bynnag, rydym yn deall pwysigrwydd rhoi yn ôl i'n gweithwyr er mwyn sicrhau amgylchedd gwaith hapus ac iach a chydbwysedd gwaith/bywyd.

• Rydym yn canolbwyntio ar hyblygrwydd, cynhwysiant, cydweithio, iechyd a lles yn y gwaith a thu hwnt.
• Rydym yn darparu ystod eang o fuddion a fydd yn gwobrwyo eich gwaith caled, yn eich ysgogi, ac yn eich ysbrydoli i weithio i wella bywydau plant bob dydd. Gallwch ddarllen mwy am ein buddion yma.

I ddysgu mwy am y swydd, adolygwch y Disgrifiad Swydd yn y Dogfennau atodedig.

Please note: To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.

Ways of Working:

The majority of our roles can be performed remotely in the UK, but there are likely to be times when you will be required to come to your contracted office (up to 2-4 days per month or 6-8 days per quarter).  This will be agreed with your Line Manager and team and is intended to be time spent on collaborating with colleagues and relationship building. 

Please note: travel costs to your contracted office will be at your own expense. 

Flexible Working - We are happy to discuss flexible working options at interview.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: 

Save the Children UK believes in a world that is fair, inclusive and equitable where all children have the opportunity to change their world. We apply this to our workforce and we are committed to developing and supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organisation where all employees have a sense of belonging and feel that they can be "Free to Be Me". We are not looking for just one type of person - we want to recruit people who can add fresh perspectives, innovative ideas or challenge that disrupts the risk of group think. 

We are especially interested in people whose childhood experiences - of life on a low income, of migration, of being in a racialised community, of the care system, of being LGBT+ or in an LGBT+ family or living with (or with someone with) a disability - help us to see things we might otherwise miss. Whatever your story is we want to hear it because we know that different voices, ideas, perspectives and knowledge, working together will enable us to better the lives of children around the world. This is the reason why we are all here. 

To see our full statement please visit this link: https://jobs.savethechildren.org.uk/our-policies/diversity/

Salary Structure: 

Save the Children is committed to paying staff in a fair and equitable way and will benchmark all salary offers in line with the pay of existing staff. To see our full offer please visit this link: Save the Children | Careers

Interview Expenses: 

Candidates should note that unfortunately it is not our policy to reimburse expenses accrued when attending interviews at Save the Children UK unless you are requested to attend an interview in an alternative location to where the role is based.

Pre-employment Checks:

Any Employment with Save the Children UK will be subject to the following checks prior to your start date:

• a satisfactory police record check to include a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and/or an International Criminal Record Check (If applicable)
• receipt of satisfactory references
• proof of eligibility to work in the national location for this role

If you have any questions, we have an FAQ section here.

For anything else you can email us on: careers@savethechildren.org.uk